2026 AAEA Summer Conference

Kindergarten teachers across the country are seeing the same challenge: more children are arriving at school without the language, self-regulation, and early learning foundations needed to succeed. The truth is, the readiness gap begins years before a child ever walks into a kindergarten classroom.

This session will explore how school leaders can strengthen kindergarten readiness by partnering with the early childhood programs already serving their communities. Participants will learn how collaboration with child care providers, preschool programs, and families can support stronger transitions to kindergarten, improve early literacy outcomes, and ultimately impact long-term student success.

If we want to see real impact in kindergarten, our vision must begin in the birth-to-five years.